The Indians won their fourth straight game, edging the Royals 5-4. The game was closer than it should have been, thanks to Cliff Lee grooving an 0-2 pitch to Emil Brown and missed opportunities late in the game. But at this point in the season, an ugly win counts the same in the standings as a blowout victory. And with the White Sox losing today, the win moves the Indians within 3.5 games of Chicago.
On the farm, the Akron Aeros beat the Portland Sea Dogs to win the Eastern League Championship. Jake Dittler pitched great, throwing seven shutout innings. Ryan Mulhern capped off his breakout season by driving in two runs, but Nathan Panther was the offensive star; he went 4-4 with a triple. Panther was named playoff MVP.